A Veteran on the Fourth of July
Maybe 30 or 35,
  he walked with a
                 four pronged cane.
But was much younger than his WWII colleagues
  without their white hair,
      and no ride in the 4th of July parade.
He wore a blue fedora,
   that made him look a bit like a color blind leprechaun,
     and sun glasses
       even after the sun went down.
But he was down with Jo Jo Gunn
   and at attention when the flag was raised
        and "Taps" were played.
His story is untold, like that of many other vets,
   but his is an American story:
he stood up for his country
   when the chips were down.